Mushahid urges EU to take notice of rights abuses in Occupied Kashmir

Date : 28-10-2014

ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has urged the European Union and champions of human rights to take a strong notice of the gross violation of human rights and atrocities of Indian forces in the Occupied Kashmir.

He expressed these views in a meeting of the Functional Committee on Human Rights with Stavros Lambrinidis, European Union Special Representative to Pakistan (EUSR) for Human Rights, said a press release.

Senator Mushahid presided over the meeting in the absence of Afrasiab Khattak, Chairman of the Committee. Senators Farhatullah Babar and Suriya Amiruddin were also present on the occasion. Ch Mahmood Bashir Virk, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of National Assembly, also attended the meeting.

Mushahid said Pakistan was committed to the promotion of human rights, rule of law and justice. He, however, pointed out that the negative narrative against Islam and racism in the West were creating inconvenience for Muslims.

He expressed his satisfaction over good collaboration between Pakistan and the European Union on different issues and expressed the hope that bilateral relations between the two would grow further in future.

Senator Mushahid also thanked the EU for its support to Pakistan on GSP Plus and stated that issues of human rights and rule of law were high on the agenda and the government was making all out efforts to address the issues.

"Pakistan is the freest Muslim democracy in the Muslim world," Mushahid said, adding that smooth transition of power from one elected democratic government to the other was a manifestation of the fact that Pakistan strongly believed in democracy and rule of law.

Ch Mahmood Bashir Virk said the overwhelming majority of the country wanted rule of law and no discrimination on the basis of colour, creed or religion.

The Constitution of Pakistan, he said, guaranteed human rights and there existed an independent judiciary and vibrant civil society.

Senator Babar said Pakistan was a signatory to different human rights conventions. He pointed out that the violation of human rights by Indian forces in the occupied valley needed to be looked into.

Senator Suriya stated that policies were being framed in Pakistan to bring the women folk into mainstream.

Earlier, Stavros Lambrinidis informed members of the committee about the purpose of his visit.

He said the visit provided them an opportunity to interact with policy makers, media community and political leadership and exchanged views on matters pertaining to human rights and rule of law.

He expressed his strong support for the democracy in Pakistan and also conveyed his felicitations to the government and people of Pakistan for Malala Yousafzai on wining the Nobel Peace Prize.

Senator Mushahid also presented reports of his committee.